The California department approved the merger under several conditions intended to control health costs and expand access to health care in the state. (Business Insurance)

The California regulator said in a statement that Aetna would provide almost $50 million in community investments as part of the agreement. The Hartford, Connecticut-based insurer will also keep key functions and operations in the state. (Bloomberg)

California officials don’t have the authority on their own to block the national insurance merger, but their decisions can be influential as the companies try to win antitrust approval from the U.S. Department of Justice. (Kaiser Health News)

The state has not yet signed off on the Anthem-Cigna merger. Read More: